Growing things in
Westwood, MA.

I'm Mark, permaculture-trained gardener with 15+ years of experience growing food in my backyard. Zone 6b. This is where I share what I'm learning, what's working, and what's not.

It's currently 47°F and partly cloudy in Westwood. High 57° · Low 44° · Sunset 7:41 PM · Humidity 83% Mid-April is Zone 6b's window for cold-hardy direct sowing — peas, spinach, kale, radishes are all fair game.

Two Birdies raised beds filled with dark soil, with a circular rock-bordered in-ground bed in the foreground also filled with compost

Black grow bags lined up along the fence with brambles and berry canes leafing out in spring

In-ground bed being cleared along a wire fence with a shovel, rock border visible on the right

Two Birdies raised beds side by side, one with wire mesh on top and one with branches and sticks as hugelkultur base material

Two Birdies raised beds freshly set up in the backyard with rock-edged pathways and an in-ground bed in the foreground

Birdies raised bed filled with branches, sticks, and dry oak leaves as hugelkultur base layer

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From the Garden

What I'm Growing in 2026

What I'm Growing in 2026

The full 2026 plant list — what's going where and why.

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2026 Season Setup

2026 Season Setup

New Birdies beds are being constructed, the layout is planned, and I'm going direct-seed-only this year.

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The Mint Battle

The Mint Battle

Mint took over one of my long beds. The strawberries are fighting back. So am I.

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Permaculture Design Certificate · 15+ Years Growing · Westwood, MA · Zone 6b

What's been in the garden

Something's growing

What if you could share your garden with a neighbor?

I'm building something new, a platform that connects people who want to grow food with people who have the space for it. More soon.

Coming soon

GardenMates app preview

Need help with your garden?

I offer one-on-one consultations for backyard growers, from first-time planters to experienced gardeners looking for a second opinion.

Book a consultation →